Robertson encourages exorcising demons from second-hand clothing

Televangelist Pat Robertson said it's not a bad idea to rebuke any spirits from items bought at a second hand store. (Source: YouTube)

(RNN) - Televangelist Pat Robertson is no stranger to controversial statements, but his most recent one made might make you wonder if you need to stop and buy some sage after shopping at a second-hand store.

Monday on the 700 Club, Robertson said that demons can in fact attach themselves to material goods.

"I buy a lot of clothes and other items at Goodwill and other secondhand shops. Recently my mom told me that I need to pray over the items, bind familiar spirits, and bless the items before I bring them into the house. Is my mother correct? Can demons attach themselves to material items," viewer Carrie asked.

Before directly answering the question, he told a story about a girl in the Philippines.

"A witch who had prayed over a particular ring and asked for a spirit to come into it," he recalled. "And this Philippine girl was so attached to this ring, she had to buy it and all hell broke loose because she finally recognized what it was."

But as for the question if demonic sprits can attach themselves to objects, the answer is "yes."

"The answer is yes, but I don't think every sweater you get from Goodwill has demons in it," Robertson said. "In a sense your mother is just being super cautious, so hey, it isn't going hurt you any to rebuke any spirits that might attach themselves to those clothes."

Robertson has often held outspoken opinions related to religion, politics, relationships along with other topics. Many statements have made headline news in the U.S.

On the Sept. 14, 2011, a viewer talked about a friend who was bitter at God because his wife had Alzheimer's disease, and the friend had started seeing another woman. The viewer asked Robertson for his advice.

"I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her," Robertson said. "If you respect that vow, you say 'til death do us part. This is a kind of death."

In 1992 Robertson described feminism as a, "socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Robertson claimed they were caused by "pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, lesbians, the American Civil Liberties Union and the People For the American Way."

Robertson has been a host on the 700 Club since the show began in 1996, but took a break from 1987 to 1988 in an unsuccessful run for president.